2/5/2011 - Pirates Sign a Pair of Columbus Standouts, Hayden Martin and Brian Alder Sign

The added 2 players for the 2012 season in the early commitment period in Hunter Mitchell and Cody Walker. Mitchell, a right handed pitcher from Northside Columbus High School, has been a force for the Patriots for several seasons and was a player the Pirate staff set their sights on as soon as they opened recruiting for next season. The righthander has dominating stuff and is expected to make an immediate impact for Chatt Valley.

Cody Walker is a catcher from Columbus High School, and the next in a long line of outstanding players to come out of coach Bobby Howard's program. Walker will bring with him experience from last year's high school state championship. The hard hitting backstop will add to Pirates stable of quality hitters and will look to crack the lineup next fall.

In addition, Pirate pitchers Hayden Martin and Brian Alder have signed scholarships to play at the next level in 2012 with 2 national powerhouses in Georgia College and Columbus State. Martin has been hampered by injuries, but the lefthander has a great arm and will help GCSU's staff when he makes the move next fall. Alder is the latest of several Pirate closers to advance their careers. His 8-1 record along with 8 saves placed him among the leaders in the ACCC in every category that matters, and he will once again anchor the Pirate bullpen in 2011 before moving across the river to Columbus State next year.